Navigation

Greek police detain dozens protesting boat deaths [Update]

Greek police have detained dozens of people for allegedly trying to occupy the office of the government's marine minister in a protest over the recent deadly sinking of a boat carrying migrants from Turkey to Greece.

Police said Thursday more than 40 people had been detained, but not arrested, during the protest at Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis' political office in central Athens.

Twelve people, mostly children, are believed to have died last week when the boat carrying them illegally sank in the eastern Aegean Sea. Two bodies were recovered.

An investigation is being conducted after the crew of a coast guard vessel at the scene was accused of mishandling the rescue operation. Varvitsiotis' ministry is responsible for the coast guard. [AP]